INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) – Defending champion Novak Djokovic downed Tommy Haas 6-2, 7-6 (1) in their third-round match Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open.
No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s semifinals of the desert tournament, advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Dmitry Tursunov. Nadal’s powerful groundstrokes kept the Russian off-balance and on the run, and Tursunov had troubles of his own, making 37 unforced errors.
Djokovic, a 21-year-old Serb who also made the final two years ago, served well and hit crisp, accurate groundstrokes to beat the 30-year-old Haas.
Djokovic served eight aces, double faulted once and made 10 unforced errors. Haas had once ace, double faulted six times and made 25 unforced errors.
Afterward, Djokovic said his game was better than in his opening match, a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Martin Vassallo.
“I’m still finding the rhythm and everything,” he said. “I don’t want to put an extra pressure on myself.”
Ranked No. 3, Djokovic lost to Nadal and David Ferrer earlier this month in Davis Cup play. Both those matches were on clay.
American John Isner, a wild card, advanced with another upset, downing former No. 1 and current No. 24 Marat Safin 6-4, 6-4.
Dinara Safina, ranked No. 2 and the women’s top seed, defeated Jill Craybas 7-5, 6-4. No. 6 Vera Zvonareva ousted Li Na 6-4, 6-4.
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